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The Road Ahead
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Beyond Broken Good and Bad Thoughts
Danica POVMy mind was bombarded with thoughts of the past few days, which wasn’t abnormal. My mind is always riddling with running from my father and avoiding my schoolmates.Though surprisingly tonight, it was full of thoughts of Dmitry.From the moment I stepped through my bedroom window and landed on my bed, I thought of him.I thought about the questions he asked me. I thought about his disappointment in me. And my disappointment in him. I thought about the circumstances that brought us together. If I hadn’t crashed that bike, we would have never met. He’d just be some random guy looking for his bike.No matter how much I tried to keep my thoughts floating around our conversations but every time I closed my eyes, my mind went to how good he looked tonight in all black.My thoughts lingered from our conversation to the attraction I felt the moment I noticed him watching me clean.I tossed and turned in my bed hoping to fall asleep. I refused to stay up all night thinking about a g
Beyond Broken Television, No Thank You
Danica POVI plopped down on his expensive barely used couch and turned on the television. I wasn’t really the type of person who watched tv anymore. Don’t get me wrong. I like movies and some shows, but I didn’t have money for movies and Rick was always watching the only TV in our home when he was there. I didn’t bother using it when he was there from avoiding his favorite spots. I also avoided when he wasn’t home to avoid being in his way when he did come home.The last time I decided to enjoy a little tv was almost three years ago. My grandfather recently passed away and I was home alone for the fourth weekend in a row. I had just turned fifteen so it wasn’t an issue of me being alone at my age. But no matter how mean my father became, I was still hoping one day we would grow closer and he would see we were all we had left in this world.I’d been flipping through channels trying to decide if I wanted to watch The Versailles or The Last Kingdom when the door burst open. My father wa
Beyond Broken Something Borrowed
Danica POV “There is a new movie out this Friday. Want to go with me?” Grace sat her books on the lab table. It was Tuesday and she was on day two of a strike from her boyfriend. I got the idea from her invite, she might be in it for the long game. “It’s a new Tomb Raider, I think.” She said looking through her phone for the name of the movie. Every few weeks we received at least two new movies in our small theater. I remember when the first Tomb Raider came out. My grandmother took me to see it. She always loved a good action movie and she loved a strong female lead. I gave her a simple smile. “I can’t go.” She rolled her eyes. “You say that every time. What’s your reason now? Family event? Sick father? It cannot be due to lots of homework.” She asked rattling off previous reasons I’d given her. I could not say I had homework. We only had four and a half weeks left before graduation and the teachers were no longer giving out homework. I sighed trying to think of a good reason. “
Beyond Broken Just Us
Dmitry POV“I came home and she was still waiting for me. Like we were in some kind of relationship and that was the norm. I only left her here, alone, because I had to check a shipment for the old man. Otherwise, she would have been gone.”Cory uncontrollably. He stopped long enough to say, “You know what they say.” When I didn’t answer, he spits out, “Beware of a persistent woman. They always get what they want.”I laughed at the ridiculousness, but he was right. Persistent women always got what they wanted in life.I instantly thought of Danica. She wasn’t persistent at all.I replied to my friend, “I don’t care how persistent she is, she is not the woman for me.”“Then why did you invite her over?” He walked to the fridge and pulled out another beer. “Hey. I know I’ve talked to more than a few girls in my time, but I’ve never led any of them on.”He was right. I had never seen Cory lead one girl further than what he wanted. I also wasn’t that kind of guy. But Nancy is persistent a
Beyond Broken Going Shopping
Dmitry POVWe wasted twenty minutes listening to her reject my offer to take her shopping. It was easy for her to come up with the reasons why we shouldn’t all pile into the car.Her top reason being that she still owes me money and didn’t want to add this to her debt. Her last reason being that she didn’t deserve my kindness. She recklessly stole my bike. Though she still hadn’t told me the real reason why she did it, she was really close to giving me an actual apology.I all but picked her up and threw her in the car. We were doing this.I had watched Danica since the day I met her. Though she always looked pretty, her clothes were far from anyone’s standards. I knew she would dress down when she came to clean my house, so I’m not referring to her spandex tights and baggy t-shirts.No. I’m referring to her old jeans, with the real holes in them. Not the fashion holes that come with jeans now.It is the shoes that look like she walks a hundred miles in them every day. And the shirts
Beyond Broken The Runway
Danica POVAngels lips were so pinned together I thought she would be stuck like that forever. No one had ever talked to her like that. No One.She was Queen Bee everywhere she stepped. And yet, Dmitry made her feel smaller than an ant and I could tell she didn’t like it.As for me, I somehow found myself not liking it either. She was staring at him but I knew her anger would be aimed at me tomorrow.Satisfied with her silent compliance, Dmitry took the dresses from my hand and shoved them into her arms. “Now do your job and bring us some new, crisp dresses.”I heard Cory tell a few people to move along in a nothing to see here manner.Dmitry took my hand and led me to the dressing rooms. Cory took a seat next to the entrance, but Dmitry just stood there while I waited for Angel to return. She didn’t bother coming back. Instead, she sent another girl with the dresses. Figures. There was no way she would serve me in any capacity.“Here you go ma’am.” The girl said in a nervous tone,
Beyond Broken Pretty Things
Danica POV It took ten minutes to convince Dmitry not to pull too far into the driveway. I noticed the auto garage doors closed when we approached and told him my father was probably sleeping. That wasn’t a total lie. Even when I claimed I didn’t want to wake up, it was all true. I knew by now he had passed out. I just wasn’t sure where. If it was in our living room, Dmitry’s tires rolling over the rocking driveway would surely wake him. Dmitry pushed through his self-disappointment and let me walk the rest of the way. As stern as he was, he hated not being a gentleman when the opportunity arose. I assured him that having me carry five bags would not make him any less of a gentleman. I carried the bags toward the house, taking my time. I didn’t want Dmitry to see me pass the porch and walk toward the backyard. It took three long trips up my old trellis to get all the bags up to my room without making too much noise. It didn’t help that I barely had any arm strength. After makin
Beyond Broken Well Worth It
Danica POVRick stayed on my mind the entire time I rode to school. He was different this morning. He never asked me before where I got things. But then again, I never had new things for him to ask.And that look he gave me when he told me to go on and get to school was chilling. After I peddled away, I looked back and he was still watching me. Even as I grew further away. I couldn't help but feel weird all morning about it.Senior students were on a whole other level this morning. I was almost grateful for the distraction.The girls did in fact wear dresses but the dresses were more extravagant with gaudy designs. And the guys either wore nice slack pants with collar shirts or tight-fitted jeans with designs and small rips on the front and back.Every outfit was a few degrees nicer than what they normally wore but still their style.Once again, I felt out of place. The dress I wore wasn't my style. I mean I liked dresses but this outfit was more than a few degrees nicer than what I w
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Beyond Broken Epilogue
EpilogueOne Year LaterDanica POV“I still cannot believe you’ve been living here in this house. With those two gorgeous men all year long. Every time I come to town, I’m still amazed.” Grace said while lounging on the float next to me.She was home for summer break, and we were enjoying a nice swim while Dmitry and Cory fixed a few poolside snacks.“First of all, I’m not living here with two guys. It’s just me and Dmitry here. Cory’s just visiting. Always visiting.” I laughed. "Just Like you are visiting me now."Grace flew in from Cali a few days ago. She was on summer break from UCLA. I was on summer break too from University of Pennsylvania. I started attending last semester since I didn’t apply on time last year. Now that I had money for college, the dream of getting a degree in English didn’t seem so far away. Thanks to my grandfather’s generous insurance money.I kept my grandfather’s house, though I didn’t live there. Instead, I visited a few times a week to study and write.
Beyond Broken My House
Danica POVDmitry and I lay comfortably across the couch with me nestled on top of him. We’d been laying here for nearly an hour without saying a word. Simply enjoying being in each other’s space. The kiss we shared was passionate and enticing, but nothing else was needed tonight.Another half hour passed before something started nagging at me.“What did you mean, you were here when Rick left? How did you know he wasn’t going to be here tonight?”He sighed. “There is something I need to tell you.”Dmitry shifted beneath me until we were both in a sitting position.“When you first came to work for me, I started looking into your family.”“You what?!” I jumped off the couch. “Did you run a background check on me?”He laughed. “No.” He leaned forward. “Well, not really.”I folded my arms across my chest. And sighed waiting for him to explain.“I didn’t have to wonder why you wanted to hurt yourself that day on the bike. I knew when the nurses were working on you that something wasn’t rig
Beyond Broken My Feelings
Danica POVI slowly crept my way up the dark stairs, and down the restored hallway to Ricks room. Sweat covered my hands as I thought of all the things that could go wrong if opened this door and he was laying there waiting to meet his intruder.My mind became riddled with memories. I looped the hallway twice, struggling between leaving the house and opening that door. Finally, I came face to face with the bedroom door that used to belong to my grandfather. And now belongs to my father.I twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open at the slowest pace my hand could muster. My eyes squinted at the small rust screech. I peeked through the small open space to see a very vacant, perfectly made bed. My head swiveled around the room as I pushed the door wider.It was empty. The room was neat and clear of sign that someone lived here. I expected to see Ricks clothes thrown across the furniture. And unmade bed with beer cans scattered throughout the sheets. But I found nothing.It is as
Beyond Broken Not Home
Danica POV I pulled off onto a dirt road behind my fathers’ property. I would cut across it every other day to go to Dmitry’s house when I was trying to hide the fact that I’d been working off my debt. I didn’t want my father to know I was sneaking in and out the house late at night. Even if I was working, he would find some perverted way to punish me for it. I parked the car and closed my eyes. I needed strength for what I was about to do. It was late and I had nowhere to go. There were a few hundred dollars in my account from being paid. Enough to get a hotel room at the cheapest motel in town. But I didn’t have a bank card yet. Dmitry took me to set up a bank account after I got my second check. I’d never forget the look on his face when he realized didn’t have one. I was eighteen with little knowledge of the world around me. It was almost ridiculous how much I had to learn to catchup with everything my classmates parents taught them outside of our normal school work. I cut t
Beyond Broken The Truth
Dmitry POVI disliked this night with a small portion of hate. Every year, we have to throw a big party, just to get our counterparts to give to charity.Small dinner plates. Entertaining music. Boring Speeches.I had half a mind to just write a check for the full amount myself. But my mother is always reminding me. This is how we make friends. This is how we leave our mark in life.Every year I plaster on my fakest smile. But this year was different. Its the first year my smile was real.I was happy though I couldn’t completely show it.From the moment I saw her in that dress, I couldn’t stop smiling on the inside. From head toe, hands down she was the prettiest girl tonight.Between her smooth copper tone, the rose gold shimmering of the dress, the dramatic gold makeup, and her hazel , Danica was perfect.There were so many times tonight I wanted to go to her. Sit with her. Chat with her. I wanted to know if she was enjoying herself. And every time I glanced at our table, I found m
Beyond Broken The Tears
Danica POV Dmitry reached for my arm once more, but I wiggled out of his grasp and burst through the door. I didn’t stop there. I kept going, making my way through the same crowd that gawked at my outburst. My feet didn’t stop there. I kept moving. A few seconds after pushing through groups of people, I heard Dmitry shouting my name and a few onlookers pronouncing their shock at his outburst. Still I didn’t turn back to look at him. I knew if I did, he would only end up embarrassed and I would end up hurt. Or should I say, more hurt. I kept going until I reached the front of the ballroom, just before the green artsy hallway. Standing near ballroom entrance was Lacy and her sister. I caught the tail end of her sentence. She noticed me just as the words came flying out of her mouth. “….nothing more than a common girl. No way is he interested in her.” My cheeks flushed as I brushed past them. This felt like school all over again. Mrs. Hardin gave Lacy the ammunition she needed to ke
Beyond Broken Nothing and No One
Danica POV I headed for the garden inspired hallway we walked through earlier just before entering the ballroom. I was certain everyone would be here in the ballroom. They’d had their fill of artwork and beautiful greenery. I could be alone and still in attendance. I’d take some time to view the pretty paintings in the small walking spaces we passed. With my head aimed straight, I walked passed the patrons. I caught a glimpse of Dmitry, who looked bored. Caught between is father and another older gentleman. His mother was nowhere to be found. This would be the first time tonight she wasn’t hanging on her husband’s arm. Cory was nowhere to be found either. Just as well. He was good company, but I just needed a breather. Especially after being the center of attention for a dance that I don’t think ill ever forget. The hallway was nearly empty, I could hear a few female voices from one of the indented corners. No doubt they were marveling over the number of brush strokes in the paint
Beyond Broken A Dance To Remember
Danica POV The violinist began playing Turning Page by Sleep at Last. This was way too much of a romantic song to dance with Cory. He gave me an apologetic look, then leaned in to ask me, “Will you be able to find you way back to the table?” I nodded my head. Then he walked away to meet his mother and another young woman. I was just about to take my first step towards the table when I felt a hand lock onto mine. Instantly, I was pulled into Dmitry’s hold. My senses were invaded by his cologne. I didn’t realize until I exhaled, but I just spent the last few seconds inhaling all that I could. He smelled amazing. “What are you doing?” I asked as he placed his other hand in the small of my back. He smiled, “Dancing. What does it look like?” I quickly glanced around, confirming the feeling I got the moment he grabbed me. Eyes from more than half the room were on us. Just beyond the edge of the dance floor was Cory. He lifted his champagne flute with a subtle head nod. Though we didn’
Beyond Broken Fancy Flutes
Danica POV I suppose the night went on as a normal party of this stature would. We were served a three-course dinner accompanied by champagne in fancy flutes. I've always heard these kind of events leave the stomach wanting more and yet I was completely fulfilled. Not just with the food but also the entertainment. In the center of a dimmed stage sat not four, or six band members, but one lone violinist covering all the latest songs. I couldn't make out her face as she sat on a darkened stage wearing all black, but I imagined she was just as beautiful as her music. Enclosed in her own small garden surrounded by plants and vines. It was absolutely stunning. I kept my eye on her the majority of the night. I knew everyone at the table and still I had nothing to say to anyone except Cory and Dmitry. The entire table occupants consisted of me, my two guys, Lacy and Dmitry’s parents. So when each of them were away, I kept my eyes trained to the stage. Which was nearly the entire time I sa
